The Football Kenya Federation Premier League enters matchday 20 with high-octane fixtures scheduled that promises drama. This weekend could decide who inches closer to the coveted trophy while relegation-threatened teams scramble for survival, and new signings eager to make an impact.
Supremacy Battle
Kenya Police have been no-nonsense this season, shaking off their early season struggles to establish an unbeaten run under tactician Etienne Ndayiragije.
Since taking over in November, the Burundian has lost only once, a 1-0 loss to AFC Leopards on 1 December. Since then, they have been the team to beat for the top position in the league, winning nine and drawing twice to ascend to the top with 37 points.
However, hot on their heels are Tusker FC who also boast 37 points with an inferior goal difference.
The two sides clash at the Kenyatta Stadium, Machakos on Sunday in a top of the table clash that could determine who will break away from the rest in their charge for the title- with Tusker aiming for a 13th trophy while Police aim for their maiden league trophy.
Both inseparable titans boast of fine league form going into this fixture with the Blewers losing once and drawing twice in their last 10 games. On the other hand, the Law-enforcers are unbeaten in that period.
In matchday 19, Tusker were held to a barren draw by KCB while Kenya Police came from behind to salvage a point and maintain top position after Brian Okoth scored in the 89th minute to draw level against Sofapaka.
Tusker midfielder Naaman Balecho acknowledges the cliff that awaits them against their opponent but is optimistic of stopping their relentless form.
“The team is very motivated…it is going to be a tough game. We are tied on points but we are positive enough and will try our level best so that we are able to win the match,” Balecho says.
Tusker will be banking on red-hot striker Ryan Ogam to lead the attack and continue their scoring streak while Police will depend on their defensive prowess to walk home with a point or three. Ogam has 15 goals to his name after 19 starts and will look to bounce back to scoring after missing the net in the last two fixtures. Police boast of the best defensive record having only conceded 10 league goals and they will look to capitalize on that but face a side that leads the scoring charts with 31 goals after 19 games averaging a goal each game.
Tusker FC head coach Charles Okere has challenged his charges to be more ruthless in the final third during this weekend’s clash.
“We need to create more scoring opportunities to convert them into goals. That’s an area we must improve because, at the end of the day, goals win matches. “We can only score when we fashion clear-cut chances in the opponent’s half and that’s what we need to be more efficient at,” said Okere.
Upgrading the Armory
Police have been busy in the transfer market, capturing the signatures of Nairobi City Stars’ dangerman Mohammed Bajaber, Burundian David Irishura and England-born Timothy Oyanda.
Ndayiragije is thus far happy with the team’s progress since he assumed the reins.
“We got one point in our last game (against Sofapaka) and we thank God for that especially since it was against a very good team who play in the league. As usual, we will go back to the drawing board and prepare well for our next encounter,” the Burundian said after their 1-1 draw against Batoto Ba Mungu on Sunday.
The first leg of the tie between the two sides ended in a draw, Marvin Nabwire giving Afande the lead in the 19th minute before Lawrence Luvanda equalized five minutes from time. Tusker boasts of a better head-to-head with 4 wins to Police’s one win and two draws.
With the title at stake, the brewers will be out to leave their opponents staggering in defeat whereas Police seek to clobber them into submission.
K’Ogalo resurgence?
Even as the top two teams seek to surge ahead of each other, they will be wary of third-placed Gor Mahia who have 31 points.
K’Ogalo are notorious for starting the season sluggishly before upping the ante in the second half — a fact that will not be lost on their opponents.
The face Mathare United at the Dandora Stadium on Saturday in what will be Sinisa Mihic’s first game as head coach.
The Croat was unveiled earlier in the week by club chair Ambrose Rachier who did not mince his words in relation to the hierarchy’s expectations.
“As usual, the expectation of Gor Mahia since inception is to win leagues and to develop players and improve the financial position of the club. I have had a very useful talk with the new head coach and I am impressed that he already knows the expectations of the club. We are currently in third place and we are not comfortable being in that position…we want to ascend to the top of the league in the next few days,” Rachier said.
Mihic is conscious of the heavy burdens on his shoulders but says that is exactly what he needs to thrive at the 21-time league champions.
“I like pressure…it is motivation for me because if you play without fans then you will lack the drive. I like it (the pressure) and will handle it by my focus, determination so I welcome it,” he said.
Ahead of their duel against the slum boys, the 48-year-old says he is keen to make the fans happy.
“This is a game just like any other and what we want to do is to win. This week has been all about getting to know my players and so far, I have liked what I have seen from them,” the Uefa Pro License holder said.
Their opponents have blown hot and cold this season, tearing teams apart when on it and collapsing dramatically when off color.
They haven’t won a game this year since their 1-0 triumph over Shabana FC on 21 December.
K’Ogalo come into this match on a three unbeaten match, winning 2-1 against Posta Rangers, drawing nil-nil against Homeboyz and winning two nil to Sofapaka. Gor also boast of a better h-2-h with six wins to Mathare’s two. In the first leg fixture, the record-champions thrashed Mathare four-nil with goals from, Austine Odhiambo, Shariff Musa, Geoffrey Ochieng and Congolese Gedeon Bendeka.
Gor will look to get the win and stay closer to the league leaders in their charge for a 22nd title. A win could send a clear message to the top two: “don’t rule us out yet.”
‘Moneybags’ still in the mix
The newest moneybags in town, Shabana, will be keen to send a stern message to the rest of the league. They face Posta Rangers on Sunday at Kenyatta Stadium, Machakos.
The two teams are on contrasting fortunes — Tore Bobe lying seventh with 28 points as Rangers lag at the bottom with 17 points.
The Kisii-based side have roped in former Kariobangi Sharks midfield marshal Keith Imbali, Bidco United’s Douglas Mokaya and Moses Shikanda.
Add to the mix Brian Michira, James Mazembe and Ezekiah Omuri and Shabana fans have every reason to be optimistic.
Shabana come into this match on a four-unbeaten run beating Sofapaka and Tusker on the road while the Mailmen have a single win during the same period.
In their last league clash, the two teams settled for a one-all draw.
Relegation Battle
While all eyes will be on the top of the table clash, Bidco United and Nairobi City Stars will be battling it out to raise hopes of staying in the league. The two sides will clash on Saturday at Kenyatta stadium.
Both on zero wins in the last five matches, are on 17 points but City Stars with a better GD. A win for either and a lose to Talanta FC could see them out of the danger zone.
This fixture is known for producing draws and with the stakes of survival this could be another draw, which neither could be proud of.
Mid table battle
Bandari FC and Sofapaka will entertain their fans in a middle of the table clash on Saturday at Mbaraki Sports Club. A win for the dockers could leave them third temporarily on 32 points while ‘Batoto ba Mungu’ could rise up to seventh on 28 points if they defeat the home side.
AFC Leopards will face Kariobangi Sharks on Sunday at Kenyatta Stadium, Machakos. Buoyed by a single loss in five games and a torrid form from Sharks, Leopards will be aiming for nothing short of a victory that could see them sit third on 32 points one ahead of rivals Gor.
Similar to AFC, KCB will be aiming to put pressure on the top teams with a victory against Murang’a Seal on Sunday.
Ulinzi Stars will face Kakamega Homeboyz while Mara Sugar will battle it out aginst Talanta FC.
